IATA calls for global standards, enhanced GSE, and digitalization to drive safer, more resilient ground handling

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) issued an industry-wide call to action for stronger implementation of global standards, a rapid transition to modernized ground support equipment (GSE), and expanded digitalization across the ground handling sector. These pillars are critical to building a safer, more efficient, sustainable, and resilient ground operations ecosystem.

The announcement was made at the opening of the 38th IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC) in Cairo, hosted by EgyptAir.

“Ground handling is often invisible to passengers, but when it goes wrong, everyone notices,” said Monika Mejstrikova, IATA’s Director Ground Operations. “A delayed bag, a damaged aircraft, a loading error, or a disrupted turnaround may last minutes, but the consequences can ripple across an entire network. Stronger implementation of standards, smarter equipment, and digitalization are the fundamentals that will make ground operations safer, more efficient, more sustainable, and more resilient.”

While IATA’s latest safety data highlights excellent progress—with zero fatal ground handling accidents and only one serious injury recorded across nearly 40 million flights in 2025—the organization stressed that global standards remain the bedrock of operational discipline.

IATA is urging airlines and Ground Handling Service Providers (GHSPs) to accelerate the adoption of the IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) and the Airport Handling Manual (AHM) while minimizing operational variations:

• Consistent Implementation: The IATA Operational Portal now connects over 1,000 registered users, including 280 airlines and 700 ground handlers. In 2025, 582 organizations shared their IGOM adoption rates, and over 500 aligned with AHM training mandates.

• Reducing Variations: Over 40% of organizations conducting an IGOM gap analysis reported zero variations. However, 2025 audits still averaged 32 variations per report (mostly regarding aircraft arrival), and IATA is pushing for any variations to be heavily minimized, justified, and transparent.

• Strengthened Oversight Via ISAGO: The revamped IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) model saw nearly 300 audits in 2025. It now supports over 230 GHSPs across 441 accredited stations at more than 250 airports, with over 200 airlines actively utilizing these reports.

With more than 29,000 aircraft ground damage events reported in 2025, ground damage remains a persistent financial and operational risk. IATA points to technology as the solution to make equipment both safer and cleaner.

• Enhanced GSE: To mitigate collision risks, IATA’s Enhanced GSE Recognition Program (launched in 2024) has received over 450 applications, validating 187 stations and officially recognizing 75 stations for successfully reducing operational risk via anti-collision technology.

• Electric GSE (e-GSE): While Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) will drive airborne decarbonization, transitioning to e-GSE can slash turnaround emissions by 35% to 52% depending on the power mix. IATA has released new practical guidance to help airports and handlers transition from fossil-fuel to electric fleets.

Disconnected, manual systems cause delayed information, leading to misplaced bags, loading errors, and late risk identification. IATA highlighted three priority areas where digital workflows are delivering immediate benefits: